Treasurer Rutherford's interns had political connections

CHICAGO -- A published report says Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford's (ROOTH'-ur-furd) office has offered paid internships to several young people with political connections.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Rutherford's office kept a list of applicants and the name of the person who referred them.

Among those who referred interns were House Speaker Michael Madigan and U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush. Rutherford himself recommended a 16-year-old member of the wealthy Pritzker family. That person was hired one year after a relative donated $50,000 to Rutherford's campaign fund.

Rutherford's office says clout played no role in who got internships.

The office had 58 interns in 2013 -- the same year Rutherford launched his bid for the Republican nomination for governor.

The treasurer's office had eight paid interns in the final year under Rutherford's predecessor.